Michael Dan Chetto

GAASTRA, MI. – Michael Dan Chetto, 70, of Gaastra, MI and formerly of Negaunee, entered eternal life early Wednesday morning, February 5, 2014 at Marquette General Hospital after suffering from an aortic aneurysm.

Michael was born May 8, 1943 in Ishpeming to Sam F. and Sylvia V. (Linna) Chetto, grew up in Negaunee and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1962. Following graduation, he served in the United States Coast Guard from 1962-1989, where he attained the ranking of Chief Warrant Officer 4, the U.S. Coast Guard’s fourth highest billeted warrant officer rank. Michael was a member of the Negaunee Eagles Club and V.A. Romo Post #3165 Negaunee V.F.W.

Michael will always be remembered for his quick wit and tasteless jokes that could make even the most humorless sourpuss smile. He truly enjoyed embarrassing his children and it was always a risk ‘taking Dad out in public.’ As an avid reader and known intellectual, it was a shock to everyone when they found out how much he enjoyed watching whistling videos on YouTube.

He often found beauty in unexpected places, like his late dog Jesse, the ‘handsome little devil’ more accurately referred to as ‘Fugly’ or ‘Fugs’ by everyone else. He loved ‘real’ country music, the Green Bay Packers and had a strange affection for Chihuahuas, especially ones that no one else wanted. He was famous for his world class ‘fluffy lights’ (aka pancakes), his delicious ‘choc hotlet’ (hot chocolate), and his ability to insert curse words seamlessly into any conversation. He swore so magically that by the time you realized how much he literally cursed like a sailor, you were already repeating his inappropriate jokes to your grandmother. He had a lifelong love affair with classic Volkswagens, especially beetles and busses. One of his greatest joys was traveling across the country in ‘Great White,’ his awesome VW bus.